1952 RECAP: PART TWO
1952 SEASON IN REVIEW
We all knew this time was coming. No one knew how it would end, but it did have to end. Bobby Barrell, the greatest Keystone in the Modern Era, and arguably the greatest player in franchise history, retired midseason. Barrell was willing to give it a go in 1952 after a major injury hurt his march towards a couple of league records, specifically the RBI record and the doubles record. On July 27th, after appearing in 57 games and hitting an uncharacteristic .223 with four home runs and 23 RBI, he retired.
Barrell did set the RBI record with 2,328 runs batted in, four ahead of Max Morris (1914-37). In true Bobby Barrell fashion, he homered in his last at-bat, which was a solo homer to break a scoreless tie in the 11th inning in New York against the Gothams. The 3-0 win also featured a home run later in the inning by fellow Keystone great Hank Koblenz. Koblenz would only appear in nine games after that pinch-hit home run, as the franchise has begun to turn away from its legacy and turn towards the next generation of players that will define the next decade in Keystones history.
The 1950s will be defined by a couple of players who led the way for the Keystones in 1952. Roger Cleaves topped 25 home runs for the fourth time in his career, as the 28-year-old easily led the team with 27 round-trippers and an even 100 RBI. The catcher was already entrenched as a star before the decade began and may etch his name in some of the Keystones all-time records by the time his career is up.
You can draw a throughline from Kellogg to Barrell to Cleaves and Miller, which is how a franchise endears itself to generation after generation.
Among the more confounding decisions the Keystones made this year was to keep top prospect Buddy Miller stashed in Louisville all season. Miller’s season was more of a study in the psyche of a ballplayer than a display of talent. Miller did not make the big club, sulked in April (.219/.286/.344), become angry in May (6 HR, .504 SLG), sulked again in June when he was not called up (.264/.302/.364), continued his monthly Jekyll-and-Hyde act in July (7 HR, .546 SLG, .921 OPS) and hit .381 in August and September to finish the season with a .317 average, 18 homers and 104 runs batted in. The former #1 prospect was disappointed with the organization, but perhaps the inconsistency was too much for the Keystones to shoulder at the major league level. 1953 will be a new year and a new opportunity for Miller.
The standings showed the Keystones have a lot of work to do to bring the franchise back to the heights of the late 1920s, the 1930s, and the war years. The age had already been starting to show on the stalwarts of the rotation for the better part of a decade. Jim Whiteley (11-21, 4.52 ERA, 1.28 WHIP) and George M. Brooks (6-19, 5.57 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) had forgettable seasons. Brooks retired following the season after a 17-year career where he was 172-171 with 73 saves. Whiteley will enter 1953 as a 37-year-old number two starter behind staff ace Sam Ivey (17-10, 3.38 ERA, 1.39 WHIP).
Whiteley is the last man standing from the veteran starting rotation. Pepper Tuttle (7-15, 3.49 ERA, 1.23 WHIP) was shipped to the Cougars and Sid Moulton (12-12, 3.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) was moved to Cleveland, two trades among a slew of moves that set fire to the remains of the Keystones glory years.
Other long-time Keystones to find new homes after the season were former first-round picks Billy Woytek (.242-9-44 in 495 AB) and Davey Robicheaux (.235-3-7 in 51 AB), whose career spanned 15 years and 13 years at the major league level, respectively. Woytek was flipped to the Gothams for Leon Peck and three other players. Peck was recently listed as the 54th-best prospect in baseball. Robicheaux was traded to St. Louis for 22-year-old Rufe Halterman.
The one major-league ready player that was acquired was Jeep Erickson, a five-year veteran with a career .289 hitter who burst onto the scene as a 22-year-old rookie for Pittsburgh in 1948, hitting .350 in 56 games. The Keystones parted with minor league catcher Bob Gaines and minor league middle infielder Andres Pagan. Erickson’s high-water mark was two years later, when he hit .300 with 14 home runs and 75 RBI. He struggled last year, hitting .225 in part-time play over 71 games for the Miners.
After the dust settled from all of the trading, were the Keystones better in the short run for next season? This reporter doubts it. Are the Keystones better positioned in the long run? The deals did not bring in any impact arms or any future stars.
Among prospects, Nelson Galletta is one to watch, as his star is on the rise in the minors and he will start in Louisville, one step away from Broad Street Park. Mike Fresh, the number three pick in this January’s draft, is years away, but he may be a difference-maker and a future staff ace. Ivey, the current ace, is only 24 years of age. In three or four years, pitching will be a strength.
Don Berry (.282-13-42 in 312 AB) had a slightly down year in his third campaign after setting personal bests with 28 homers and 90 RBI in his first full year last season. Charlie Enslow was traded across town to the Sailors for a couple of intriguing pieces drafted last January, second baseman Roxy Schilling and catcher Vic Weaver. Enslow’s exit also paves the way for Miller to take over centerfield full-time. Berry will shift to right field to let Jeep Erickson ply his trade in left. Bill Del Vecchio is ready to contribute at the major league level and he can play all three outfield positions.
Rudy Minton continues to be in the long-term plans at third base, but Hank Koblenz was relegated to the bench too soon in my opinion. First base will likely be manned by either Dick Green or Leon Peck, but neither are going to make their debut next season. Up the middle, besides Cleaves behind the plate, the future is bright with Al Coulter likely joining Red Ellis in the infield sometime next season or the season after. Coulter proved adept at either shortstop or second base and where he plays will depend on Ellis, who had a terrible season (.228/.283/.280 in 522 AB).
However, until the pitching is better or until the farm system can turn out a couple of gifted arms, this team will not be able to contend.
1952 RECAP
Record: 63-91 (.409), 34 GB (8th/8)
Team MVP: Roger Cleaves - .267/.349/.479, 27 HR, 100 RBI, 6.4 WAR
Notable: Sam Ivey – 17-10, 3.38 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 2.6 WAR
Farm System: 10th/16 – Top Prospects: #24 RHP Nelson Galletta, #46 1B Dick Green
Minor League highlights: Allentown (A) and Bakersfield (B) win respective leagues
1951-52 BOSTON BEES SEASON IN REVIEW
The Boston Bees were the bridesmaids again in 1951-52. For the second straight year, Boston made it to the NAHC Challenge Cup Final but could not seal the deal. Boston was in better position this year, thanks to a more impressive regular season. Boston chased down New York to finish in second place behind Chicago and home ice made a difference, as the Bees outlasted the Shamrocks in the Semifinals with a Game Seven win at Denny Arena.
Boston was 30-23-17 (77 points), which was only five points behind Chicago (36-24-10) for the best record in the regular season. Oscar James (25-19-6) took the next step in his career journey, leading all first-string goaltenders with a goals-against average of 2.32 and pacing the circuit in wins with 25. In the process, James won his first Juneau Trophy as the league’s top netminder.
For the regular season, 35-year-old Tommy Hart led the team in scoring with 50 points. His 18 goals were only topped by Robert Walker’s 19 tallies. Walker added five goals in the postseason. Hart’s 32 assists were tied with 34-year-old Wilbur Chandler (16-32-48). Mickey Bedard led all defensemen in scoring with eight goals and 28 points. Bedard also paced the team in penalty minutes with 82. Walker had five game-winning goals and also led Boston with 17 power play points.
In the Semifinals, Boston built a 3-0 series lead with 3-2, 5-0, and 3-2 victories to open the series. Conn Cundiff had the deciding goal with 4:57 left in the third period in Game One. Oscar James was the first star in Game Two, spinning a 33-save shutout. Tommy Hart potted two goals in Game Three, including the winner 1:38 into overtime to take a commanding 3-0 series lead.
New York took Game Four at home, 3-0, and continued to stave off elimination in Game Five, 4-2, before Boston finally finished off the Shamrocks in Game Six, 3-2. In Game Six, Wilbur Chandler scored a power play goal and a shorthanded goal in a 3:01 span in the first period to stake Boston to a 2-1 lead, but it was Mickey Bedard’s game winner to break a 2-2 tie with 4:27 left in regulation to win the series for Boston.
Chicago dominated the regular season but had a tougher time than expected in the Western Division Final against the Toronto Dukes. It took six games to dispatch the Dukes and the series was knotted at two before Chicago’s Tommy Burns won Game Five just eight seconds into overtime. That goal took the heart out of Toronto, as Chicago skated to a 7-2 win at Dominion Gardens.
Both teams entered the Final with a head of steam, but Chicago was the only team able to keep that momentum. In Game One, Boston pushed Chicago in the third period, as a Robert Walker goal with 3:59 remaining cut the Packer lead to 3-2. An empty-net goal by Sam Furr secured the 4-2 victory. There were a couple of fights to set the tone earlier in the game, as John Bentley and Chicago’s Bert McColley renewed acquaintances late in the first before Mickey Bedard and Phil Gagne engaged in a spirited bout a few minutes into the second period of what was a 2-1 Chicago lead.
Chicago left the fisticuffs behind in Game Two, easily coming away with a 5-2 lead to hold serve at home. Both pugilists for Chicago scored in the first period to set the tone in a different way. David Scarpone broke the seal for Boston, but by then, it was 3-1. Mike Brunell scored on a power play with 5:25 left to cut the lead to 4-2, but another empty-netter by Furr ended the scoring.
The good news as the series moved to Boston was the Bees got out to a lead for the first time all series. Walker scored his fifth of the playoffs after a Jeremy MacLean tripping penalty that staked Boston to a 1-0 lead. However, just 21 seconds later, Chicago tied it when Derek Gubb scored. John Bentley put Boston up, 2-1, with his first of the postseason. The lead lasted longer, but Chicago scored the next goal eight minutes later to tie and another goal seven minutes later for the final goal in a 3-2 Chicago win.
Boston was up against New York in the Semifinals, three games to none, and the Bees found themselves down oh-three to Chicago. After the Packers led 20 minutes in, 1-0, Mark Dyck tied the score early in the second period, but Ed Delarue scored with under three minutes remaining in the second period to put Chicago up, 2-1. Neither team scored in the third period, as Chicago held tight and actually outshot Boston, 15-7, in the final stanza.
For the series, Boston led Chicago for a total of eight minutes and 26 seconds. Boston was outscored in the four games, 14-7, and while the Bees were not shutout in a game all series, Chicago was in control from pillar to post.
Looking at next season, the goaltending and the defense are as solid as any team in the league, both now and in the future. The Bees welcomed 19-year-old Ben Voyechek (5-8-13 in 42 GP) and 26-year-old Jake Durand (2-7-9 in 36 GP) to the fold and they were able to crack the lineup more often than not. The aging core of forwards needs to be addressed in the next couple of years. There is youth on the way up, as center Luc Fournier (7-3-10 in 39 GP) and 19-year-old left winger Manny Coutu (1-2-3 in 44 GP) made their NAHC debuts this season. In Springfield, there is some offensively capable players who project to contribute at the major league level, as James Smart (16-30-46 in 58 GP) and Nolan Pfeifer (21-40-61 in 61 GP) had solid years, while Bill Girard (15-18-33 in 60 GP) is the top prospect who has not made his Bees debut yet.
The amazing success in the 1940s casts a long shadow in the expectations for this franchise. Two straight appearances in the Final will not be enough to satisfy the Boston faithful. The Bees’ seven Challenge Cups are second behind Toronto’s eight championships and the Boston brass is hungry to add to their collection.
1951-52 RECAP
Record: 30-23-17, 77 points (2nd/4, 5 PB of CHI)
Postseason: 4-6; Lost in 4 games in Challenge Cup Final to Chicago
Team MVP: Oscar James – 57 GP, 25-19-12, 2.32 GAA, .919 SV%, 6 ShO (Postseason: 4-6, 2.51 GAA, .917 SV%, 1 ShO)
Notable: LW Tommy Hart (70 GP, 18-32-50, +14), 9 players with 10+ goals
System Rankings: 5th/6 - Top Prospects: #4 LW Nolan Pfeifer (61 GP, 21-40-61, 78 PIM in Springfield), #20 RW Vince Banks (61 GP, 13-21-34, 36 PIM in Springfield)
Minor League Notes: Springfield (38-11-12, 88 pts, 1st East) lost in HAA Semis to Toledo, 4-3
STATESMEN OF THE UNION: 1951-52 SEASON IN REVIEW
The Washington Statesmen were trying to do something only the Brooklyn Red Caps did: win three straight titles. Of course, the Red Caps won six straight league titles in the American Basketball Conference. Since the ABC folded into the Federal Basketball League in 1948-49, no other team before or since have won three consecutive league championships.
Washington reached 50 wins in the regular season for the second straight year in 1949-50, but the postseason run was remarkable as the 8-4 playoffs earned the Statesmen its first title since Washington joined the FBL. Washington went 45-21 last season and won the 1951 FBL Finals to make it back-to-back against Toronto, the team which Washington vanquished in the previous postseason.
In both seasons, sure-fire Hall of Famer Ivan Sisco won the Finals MVP. This season, the Statesmen started 36-8 and 44-9, but only won four of their 13 to finish 48-18, which was fine for the division and a Division Semifinal bye, but a major lineup shakeup left Statesmen fans with a pit in their stomachs.
The biggest change was to make Sisco the sixth man, benching him in favor of second-year forward Ernie Fischer. Long-time point guard Blake Brooks was replaced in the starting lineup by rookie George Sommer. Don Brito was shelved after Steve Arnette was signed as a free agent on February 20th.
The 33-year-old Arnette is a journeyman, missing three years for military service during World War II and missing 1950-51 due to unemployment. Arnette was brought in to start for Washington and did well, playing all 26 games after his signing, averaging 12.6 points per game with 8.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per contest. Compared to Brito, Arnette’s statistics were better in every category. But the sum of the starting lineup and the rotation for the Statesmen were worth more than the individual parts.
The bright spot of the changes was the added responsibility given to Ernie Fischer, who moved from his power forward role to becoming the man in the middle. The changing of the guard at point guard meant that the future was now for George Sommer. Sommer’s play improved during the playoffs, as his assist average during the season increased from 4.5 per game to 8.5 per game. Also, Willie Wright continued to start and play a lead scoring role. Wright set a career-high in his sixth season with a 16.0 points-per-game average and almost doubled his career playoff scoring average this postseason as he scored 18.1 per game.
The changes were exploited in the postseason. Washington uncharacteristically allowed Boston to come back from a three games-to-one deficit to force a Game Seven. It showed throughout the four-game sweep at the hands of the Detroit Mustangs in the FBL Finals. Washington’s Achilles’ heel is its tendency to run cold from the floor and Sisco was the Statesmen’s highest percentage shooter. In the FBL Finals, the team shot 32.7% in Game One before dipping under 30% for the rest of the series, including an anemic 26.3% in Game Four.
Against Boston, the Statesmen survived to win its fifth straight playoff series, winning Game Seven, 89-78. In Game Seven, it was Arnette who led the team and set a playoff high with 23 points for the guard who won a title with the 1942 Red Caps. In the Final, Washington did not have much to combat a red-hot Detroit Mustangs squad.
Detroit took the first two games in Washington and the Mustangs were off and running. The Statesmen were 24-9 both at the National Auditorium and on the road. After dropping Game Five in the Eastern Division Final to the Centurions, Washington could not buy a win against Detroit at home or on the road after sweeping the two-game season series.
Both regular season meetings were in November, which seemed like several seasons ago.
In the past couple of seasons, Ivan Sisco and Blake Brooks were there when they needed them. But Sisco came off the bench and Brooks was nowhere to be found. Ivan Sisco did come off the bench in Game Two of the 74-73 loss to score 18 points in 34 minutes after Ernie Fischer, the new starter at center, ran into foul trouble.
Looking ahead to next season, Ernie Fischer has the road paved in front of him to become a front-line player in the league for years to come. George Sommer is starting to come into his own. The aging stars of this team that led the Statesmen to unparalleled success are being ushered towards the exit. 33-year-old Blake Brooks, 32-year-old Charles Hooper, and 31-year-old Ivan Sisco all project as bench players next season and with 1,267 regular season games and 212 postseason contests, the Statesmen will have a deep rotation.
1951-52 RECAP
Record: 48-18 (.727), 1st in Eastern Division, 9 games ahead of Philadelphia
Postseason: 4-7; Lost in 4 games in FBL Finals to Detroit
Team MVP: C Ivan Sisco – 66 GP (38 GS), 18.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per game
Notable: SF Willie Wright – 64 GP, 16.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals per game